Ohio no longer requires fully vaccinated people to wear masks indoors in most situations, under a revised health order released late Monday afternoon.
The revised order sets separate face covering and social distancing rules of people based on their vaccination status. The order will expire June 2, along with all other remaining health orders except those for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and data collection.
The order, retroactive to 4 p.m. Friday, aligns Ohio with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which said last week that vaccinated people can return to many of their pre-pandemic activities.
Mask and distancing rules and guidance for unvaccinated Ohioans
People who are not fully vaccinated against the coronavirus – defined as two weeks past the first dose of a single-dose shot or the second dose of a two-dose regimen – are still required to wear facial coverings and keep social distancing in several situations.
Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals:
- In any indoor location that is not a residence.
- Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of 6 feet or more from individuals who are not members of their family or household.
- Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, a taxi, car service, or a ride-sharing vehicle.
The order also says unvaccinated people should avoid congregating and should limit gatherings to no more than 10 individuals separated from other groups by at least 6 feet.
Rules for everyone
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is still required to wear a face covering on planes, trains, buses and other types of public transportation under the order.
Businesses can set their own policies requiring masks and social distancing. The K-12 school mask mandate is still in place.
The order maintains several exemptions including for people who have a disability, pastors and religious officiants, people eating or drinking and children under age 10 except if required by a school.
The order states no capacity limits for outdoor events but still limits indoor events to 25% capacity. Spectators in both should be limited to parties of 10 and spaced 6 feet apart unless all parties are fully vaccinated.
The rules for bars and restaurants don't change: tables must be 6 feet apart or separated by dividers and patrons must be seated while eating or drinking.
Read the full order below.
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